Kanyakumari: Discover Kanyakumari-The Cape of South India

Kanyakumari (also spelt as Kanniyakumari) is a district in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Kanyakumari is bound in the north and the northeast by Tirunelveli district, by Kerala in northwest. The district’s eponymously named capital sits at the southernmost tip of the Indian mainland at the confluence of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean. Kanyakumari, lays down rich Indian culture and is considered to be one of India’s most important temple towns. Kanyakumari is also particularly famous for its many Kanyakumari beaches, Kanyakumari temples, sunrises and sunsets.

Kanyakumari is one of the few places in India from where the sunset and moonrise can be viewed simultaneously on a full moon day. The coastline of this pilgrimage town is almost regular except for certain protrusions into the sea at Cape Comorin. Famous for its paddy fields, rich forests, coconut groves and mineral sands and extensive stretches of greenery, Kanyakumari is also blessed with many temples. Prominent among these is the Kumari Amman temple, is dedicated to the virgin goddess, Devi Kanya (an avatar of Goddess Parvati) who meditated here to get married to Lord Shiva. Southeast of the Kumari Amman temple lies two rocky protrusions. One of these protrusions is said to contain the footprints of the virgin goddess and is referred to as Sri Padaparai. It is on this same rock that the great Indian seer Swami Vivekananda is speculated to have meditated; Vivekananda Rock Memorial was built in 1970.

DESTINATIONS in Kanyakumari- TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

  • Perhaps the most important tourist attraction in this town is Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a memorial built in 1970 to commemorate the historic work done by the Indian guru Swami Vivekananda in spreading the Vedas.
  • Kanyakumari is blessed with many famous temples, and perhaps, the most prolific is the temple of Goddess Bhagavathi. Located at the confluence of three water bodies (the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea), it is speculated that the earliest structure form of this picturesque temple was first built by the first Pandyas.
  • Another prominent historical temple in Kanyakumari is the Kumari Amman temple dedicated to the virgin goddess, Devi Kanya (an avatar of Goddess Parvati).
  • Also popular are the Nagaraja temple at Nagercoil and the temples at Suchindram, Tirunelveli, Sankaranainarkoil.
  • The Subramanya temple in Tiruchendur and the temple at Kumarakovil are also frequented by tourists and pilgrims.

Kanyakumari- TRAVEL TIPS

  • Languages: Tamil and English are the widely spoken languages in the region. Hindi is somewhat rare.
  • Cuisine: Cuisine is largely South Indian; you can expect Neer dosa’s, idli’s, aapam and a lot of other South Indian dishes.

BEST TIME to visit Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari can be visited any time of the year. However, this temple town is at its most cultural and colourful best during the three-day Cape Festival held in the month of October. Find Travel Agents suiting your travel on Tripraja.com

BEST WAY to reach Kanyakumari

  • By Air: The airport nearest to Kanyakumari is Thiruvanantapuram that lies a mere 80 kms away.
  • By Rail: Kanyakumari is a major railway terminus.
  • By Road: Kanyakumari is well connected to all the important cities in the region. Buses are plenty from all towns/cities in the region. Local transport in Kanyakumari comprises taxis, cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws.

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels and rooms are available to suit all budgets. One can obtain excellent discounts on accommodation via temple pilgrimage tours and temple trips.